By: Pastor Zac Ethridge
Have you ever felt like you’ve hit a wall spiritually, emotionally, or mentally? Like you’ve done everything you know to do, and it’s still not enough? Maybe you’re praying, going to church, and even trying to trust God, but inside, you’re at your breaking point.
You’re not alone. And you’re not the first.
In the opening pages of 1 Samuel, we meet a woman named Hannah who knows exactly how that feels. Her story isn’t just ancient history. It’s a roadmap for anyone who’s ever felt helpless, heartbroken, or hopeless. Here’s how God met her and how He can meet you too.
Bring Your Pain Honestly
“Hannah wept and would not eat.” – 1 Samuel 1:7
Hannah’s grief wasn’t surface level. It was soul deep. Her longing for a child was met year after year with disappointment, and to make matters worse, she was being mocked for it. Grief is not unspiritual. You don’t have to fake it with God. In fact, some of the most powerful moments in Scripture come from people who brought their raw emotions to Him. Maybe today you’re not okay. That’s okay. The Bible doesn’t tell you to bottle it up, it invites you to pour it out. Which brings us to the next thing.
Pour Out Your Heart in Prayer
“I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.” – 1 Samuel 1:15
Hannah’s prayer wasn’t polished, it was desperate. Sometimes the most powerful prayers have no words at all. Just tears. Groans. Silence. She didn’t just speak at God; she gave her whole self to Him. And God heard. When you’re at your breaking point, don’t retreat from God, run to Him. Talk to Him like Hannah did. Ask. Beg. Cry. Be real. Because when you pour out your soul to God, He can begin to fill you with hope again.
Trust God with the Outcome
“And in due time, Hannah conceived and bore a son.” – 1 Samuel 1:20
Notice it says, “in due time.” That means it didn’t happen right away. But something changed after she prayed. The Bible says Hannah’s face was no longer sad. She worshipped, even before her situation changed. Why? Because she trusted the One who was in control. Your breakthrough may not come today, but it is coming. God hears your cries, sees your pain, and in His perfect timing, He will move.
Surrender What You Cherish Most
“For this child I prayed… and now I give him to the Lord.” – 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Hannah didn’t just receive a blessing; she returned it to God. That’s trust on another level. Could you surrender the very thing you’ve prayed for so long? The answer to Hannah’s prayer wasn’t just for her, it was part of God’s plan to raise up a prophet named Samuel, who would shape the future of Israel. Sometimes what feels like your breaking point is God’s starting point.
Let Your Pain Turn to Praise
“There is none holy like the Lord…He raises the poor from the dust.” – 1 Samuel 2:1,8
Hannah’s praise in chapter 2 is one of the most powerful prayers in all of Scripture. She exalts a God who reverses fortunes and who humbles the proud and lifts the lowly. It’s not just her personal story; it’s a prophetic declaration of how God works. And it points us to Jesus, the King who was born in humility and raised to glory.
At the Breaking Point…God is Still Working
Your pain is not the end of your story. Like Hannah, your breaking point might be the very place God begins something new…not just in your life, but in the lives of others through you. Are you pouring out your soul or bottling up your hurt? Are you holding on to what you prayed for or surrendering it back to God? Are you willing to believe that He sees you, remembers you, and has a purpose for your pain? If so, there are a couple next steps you can take. Plan your visit to Liberty and join us this Sunday or fill out the connect card so we can pray with you and help you take your next step.
God meets people at their breaking point. And when He does, everything changes.
